Race track



NOV. 16, 1943. F, E, THOMAS 2,334,656

RACE TRACK Filed March ll, 1942 Sheets-Sheet l :LC 50 2*/ J7 2/ *Jil/army.

Nov. 16, 1943. F, E. THOMAS RACE TRACK Filed March 1l, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A Y 2,334,656 y Y Y l RACE TRACK Frank E. Thomas, Chicago, Ill. Application March 11, 1942, serial n1374229 claims..l (c1. 272-31) i ping means.

Another object of my invention is to provide simple means for effectively causing the said animals to leap and bound simulating the actual running action of such animals. Y

Another object of my invention is to'provide frictionless support means for the said animals when operating within the outer or inner spirally shaped trackage means.

` A still further object of my invention is to provide resilient connecting means =betweenthe leading animal and the animal following in pursuit thereof, so as to provide intermittent Imo-v tion as well as differential motion between the two animals when rotating thru Ythe trackage means provided for operating the same.

Other objects, advantages, and features resident in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings,Y

and the elucidation contained in the ensuing description wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of my invention. I

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View on the line 2-2 of Fgurel. y

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and enlarged view showing the means utilized for imparting tothe animal a leaping and bounding action.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the Adirection 5-5 of Figure 3. l

Fig. 6 is a transversal cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 showing in enlargement the check pawl means utilized to facilitate the winding of the motivating power or spring element.

Fig. -7 is a fragmentary detailed view showing the structural element used for arresting the reversed motion of the animals when winding the' spring or power motivating means.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view showing the manner in which the switching means will be automat-4 ically .thrown back, from its connection to the spiral trackage, to the circuitous orV circular outer track simultaneously. and automatically with the spring winding operation.

Fig; 9 shows a cross-sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 1, indicating-the trap door details of the' trap for concealing the leading animal therein.

Referring, more particularly, to the views,in Figure l, 8U designates a suitable support or platform for `the invention upon which is mounted the trackage I0, a portion of this trackage being adapted to form a circular outer track having a space or gap in between the pivot 26 and the clearly elucidated'in the cross-sectional` :view in terminus of the track 8|. ,The spiral track which continuesfwithin the `confines of the outercircular track is spirally` shaped and leads towards the center as indicated. The spiral track vbegins at a vpoint 82 and kcontinues towards the central point in spiral formation.

The switch means 25 is composed of `a piece of trackage, having anvextension 21 anda manipulating handle 22. The manipulating handle is adapted tocause the switching portion of track 25 `to be motivated in between the-stop pins 23 and 24, thus confining the operation of the animals I2 and I3 within the limits and bounds of the outer track I0 when the switch portion of track 25 is in the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, or by switching the connection to the path of the spirally shaped track when the switching portion of track 25is connected to the terminus `82 thus causing. the animals to continueV inthe spirally `shaped track and/proceed toward the central portion where thetrap I9 will permit the leading animal to be concealed therein. f ,Y n,

In Figure 8, the Vdetailed structure Vof, .the switching means permitting automatic operation by the pin 35 is shown. It comprises, a lever 21 pivotably mounted, and, as shown, it is in its outermost angular relation with element 25, the

abutments 29 permitting movementtoward element 25 by. virtue of yspringelement 30 pivoted at28, the termini of the., spring being anchored bythe pins 85. leverV 21 to be tripped by pin 35, when pin 35 is moving in one direction, and will escape tripping when pin 35 moves in the opposite direction.A

The central housing of the device is generally designated by Il, and the cover by the numeral The swinging doors 20 and 2| are 4more Figure 9. The animal I2 represents a hare, and the animal I3 represents a whippet in. pursuit This arrangement permits the the rabbit and the whippet an intermittent acy tion which will permit the whippet to give ostensibly the impression that it is gaining on the rabbit, or rwhen the resilience of the springeX- erts a repellent action to the whippet foran advancing action to the rabbit whence theV whippet will never catch upV with the rabbit but appear to be gaining and losing distance by the varied action provided'. bythe resilient springV element I4.

The trackage system at numerous points or intervals will be provided with a protuberance II whichV will give a leaping and bounding type of action to both the hare and thewhippet as can `be seen .in ligurel 4. When itheanimals forelegs approach the protuberance II, being that the animal is pivotally mounted at the point 83, the forelegs will cause the animalito incline angularly in an upward direction, then the forelegswill pass over the forward part of the protuberance .II andthe rear legs ofthe animal will incline downwardly, thus alternately nthe forepartof the animals body will be inclined upward and downward alternately with respect to the rear portio-n of the animal which will likewise incline downwardly and upwardly, respectively, thus simulatingthe natural leaping and bounding of those` animals when. inl flight or in'pursuit of one another.

Either animal I2 or I3 is suitably bored out at 83 in order to be mounted on the -rst telescopic section I5 which is provided with a threaded shank portion 47, .allowing a smooth portion thereof to support `the link 48 and the. nut .46 which holds the same rotatably and swivelly in place. The animal I2 is provided with the legs 4D which straddle the central opening 39 provided in the trackage and are so made.. as to. contact the protuberances I I as heretofore explained (Vsee- Figure 3). In this iigure -it will also be noticed that the element v48 has a central web extension 49 and terminates in the housing' having ears bent over to ho-ld the ball 5I..in.pla`.ce` thus the ball is caused to contact two sides and the bottom of the track and operate rotatably, thus minimizing the frictional loss of power.

The track is preferably built in relief at the upper portion 31 so that it will give'the supporting element 49 freedom of action vduring the motion` or period of rotation. The track, is preferably, made of stamped.v material being flanged overas at 36 and bent over as indicated at 31 and its base 38 is held down to the base board support 80 by virtue of the countersunk screws 52. Y

The spri-ng housing I'I is provided with a cover plate 'I8 and houses the at coil spring 59 which is secured to the central tubular bearing Bil which rotates about the standard 55, which also vhas a square shank 56 imbedded in the base 8i! of the device.

Thesleeve 60 is provided withslotted portions 58 adapted to straddle the pins 57 which are driven into the standard 55. The sleeve 6G is connected by a threaded portion 6l to the knob 56 which is, preferably, knurled so that it can be conveniently manipulated when it is desired to charge the spring 59. The knob 66 is pulled upward so that the slotted portions 58 clear the pins 5'! and thus offer freedom of rotation to the knob.

The sleeve G0 is secured to one end of the spring 59, the other being secured to the housing Il. The sleeve 5E) has secured thereto the gear "I2 and by virtue of the screws I3 which have extensions working in the slotted portions 'I4 in a manner similar to a feather key arrangement,

.thus causing the key to rotate integrally with the sleevek 6D yet permit the sleeve Bil a longitudinal movement without disturbing the position of the gear 'I2 in its meshed relationship with the pinion 'i5 idling about the support 'I6 on a shaft which has an, extension to which is secured the air fan type of governor il so as to govern the rotational action of the spring and more or less control the quick dissipation of the energy stored therein.

The upper portion of the sleeve 63 has integrally welded theretothe initial support 'II of one of the series of sleeves I5 supporting the rabbit element I 2. Itis `also provided with a recessed portion permitting thel bent lever or extension 'I' which issecured in Working t relation with the recess in the sleeve 65 by the strap portions E8 in turn secured in place by virtueoi the rivet 59, thusV giving the extension I0 as distinguished from the extension II freedom of actio-n to follow the` movement of the element 1I depending on theresilient connection I4 forearrying the extension "it, to which are secured the. various telescopic sections I5 loading to the whippet animal, the animal being pivotably supported thereon in like manner as has been elucidated for theY mounting of the rabbit I2 at the extreme outer point of the telescopic arm. j

To the rst extensionV I5 is secured a pin member designated .4I having bent portions 42 to which are suitably secured rubber bumper elements 43 ,so that .this structure will act as a buffenand, as can bev seen, since elementA 4I, is somewhat longer than thedistance from the nose of rthelanimal tov the center of the telescopic section I6, thev rubber bumper portions 43 will be caused to impact the doors 2G and 'ZI before the Aanimal enters the trap thus protectingthe head of the animal and also by impactingthe wall sectionsl 44 and 45 Vcausing the animal I2 to be arrested at a point 1/8 of an inch or 1A, of an inch away from the said walls and preventing damage thereto, when ythe animal completes its'rotationV on the inner or spiral track.. The doorways 20 and 2l are pivctally connected as shown and operate in .both directions so as to permit the animal yto be brought outas well as to `be concealed therein when Ythe operation is terminated.-

` The cover member I3 is 'provided with the indented structure'! and a'straight horizontal portion 53, also 'the triple bar support 6l so as to provide a central hub 84 to be secured tothe stud 55 by virtue of the screw 54 and maintain the same in axed relationship with respect to the spring cage'I'l.v

' The knob velement 6E is providedv with an undercut ratchet tooth Varrangement 19in Iorder tofpermit the pawl (4pivote'dat 63 to -bekep't in engagementby virtue of the spring 65, to provide checking movement whenthe Vspring element59 is being woundup and whenzthe hand has to release the knob in order to grip it and operate it rotatably until continuous winding-of the knob 'will tend to completely. charge the spring'.

The operation of the device is as follows: After the `spring element l59 has been charged andl the track switch 25 is in the position indicated in dotted lines Figure 1, the pawl 64 being released will permit the animals` to run on the outer circuitous lap I0. The animals will thus pursue one another by virtue of the telescopic rods I6 supporting the animals, permitting them to workV over the protuberancesl II and thus simulate the leaping and bounding action of these animals in flight or in pursuit of one another.

The resilient element I4 as heretofore interesto the one operating the toy, then by manipulating the switch lever 22,causing the switching trackage portion 25 to be connected to the terminus 82 of the inner spirally shaped tracks, the animals then will continue pursuit on the spirally shaped track until they reach the trap doors 20 and ZI, where the hare or leading animal will be caused to be confined therein and the whippet will remain outside; moreover, by the impact of the buier pin 4I impacting the walls 44 or 45 of the trap, the movement of the rabbit will be arrested whereas the resilience of spring I4 will be caused to take up the acquired momentum of the whippet I3 causing it to rebound several times back and forth in front of the doors 20 and 2I ythus giving the impression of an earnest attempt to pursue the rabbit into the trap; the resilient spring aording, thus, a Y

very interesting action at that point and thruout the circuitous operation of the animals in pursuit of one another both on the outer track as well as on the inner spiral track.

After the animal has been arrested in the trap I9 as heretofore explained, it is now necessary to charge the spring once again. First, the knob element 66 is pulled upward so as to disengage the sleeve 6I) from the pins 51, which permits freedom of rotation of the element and permits charging the spring to its ultimate capacity, the ratchet 'I9 and the check pawl64 controlling the action.

At the initial operation of the winding action of the spring in a counterclockwise manner, the telescopic rod bearing the whippet being connected by the spring I4 to the rod supporting the hare will cause the rabbit to be moved out of the trap I9 by virtue of the doors 20 and 2 I, which swing in both directions, and will cause the same to work in unison with the ball bearings 5I in the spiral trackage until the same are brought to the terminus 82, whence they will be caused to connect with the outer track III to continue the rotation on the outer track lll.

When the whippet I3 runs on the switching portion 25 shown in full lines and thence continues to reach the outer track I0, the pin 35 secured to the whippet I3, will engage the portion 21 of the switch means thus causing the switching portion of the track 25`to be brought in communication with the terminus 8l of the` outer track, then the pin 35 will be arrested by the stop 3l rwhich will hold both animals in that relative position until the spring isfullyj charged: 'I'he pin v35'will not be able to pass the element13l as indicated byFigure7, that being made up of a piece of rigid material pivoted at 32 and mounted so with respect to the springA 34 by virtue of the radial portion 33 conning its movement in one direction but not inthe other, so that when the pin 35 strikes member 3I while the device is turning counterclockwise, it will not beV able to pass it, but when the animals are in rotation clockwise after the spring is released then they will pass the element 3l because it permits of its bending forward against the spring tension 33 and by virtue of rounded portion 33 thus permitting the telescopic rods and pin 35 to pass yin a clockwise direction but not in a counterclockwise direction.

In this connection it should be noted that element 3| is pivotably mounted, the radial base portion 33 extending but for a segment of 90 Whereas the remaining base portion 81 being right angled will permit movement only in the direction tending to depress the spring 34.

When the animals are operating on the outer track, the switching element 25 is secured to` the extension 21 at the point 28 and by virtue of the abutments 29, and the spring 30, which permits the element 21 to yieldto the pin 35, when the telescopic sections I6 are operating in a clockwise direction, but will engage the .element 21 as when the spring 59 is being charged and the sections I6 are being moved in a counterclockwise direction, the pin 35 will engage the element 2'I and cause the switching portion of track designated 25 to be moved over to the position shown in dotted lines and connect with the outer track at the point 8I Thus the operation will be continuous in the outer path until switched to the inner path which spirally leads to the trap door and conversely when the spring is being charged the telescopic elements will automatically be extended by their movement thru the spirally shaped track in the counterclockwise direction and automatically tripv the switching means 25. The pawl 64 may then be released and the cycle of operation continued, the animals moving in pursuit around the outer track, then by manipulation of handle22 the operation or pursuit will continue on the spiral track until the leading animal is concealed in the trap.

The herein embodiment of my reserved to all Inodications coming within the spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus revealed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:V

1. In a device of the character described, outer trackage means, inner trackage means of spiral formation, common trackage switch means adapted to close the circuitous path of the said outer trackage means and the said inner trackage means alternately, automatically adjustable telescopic elements secured concentrically with respect to said outer trackage means, and adapted to be confined rotatably and alternately within the said outer and the said inner track-` age means, andv trip means secured to the said automatically adjustable telescopic elements adapted to motivate the said common trackage switch means to close the circuitous path of the said outer trackage means.

Iinvention reveals a preferred form and hence the right isV 2.-V Inadevlce of the character described, outer trackage means, inner trackagemeans 'oflspiral formation, common trackage switch lmeans adapted to close the circuitous path of the said outer trackage. means -and the saidv inner track-i age means alternately, automatically adjustable telescopic velements secured concentrically e with respect to said outer trackage means, and adapted to be conned rotatably andalternately Within the said outer and the said inner trackage means, and resilient connecting means interconnecting the outer extremities of the said tele scopic elements. r

- 3; A device of the character described compris-V ing, motive power means, telescopic supporting means rotatably secured to the said motive power means, animal elements pivotably secured to the outer extremities of the said telescopic supporting means, animal support and bearing means pivotably secured to the outer extremities -of the said telescopic supporting means, and universally confined within track means,` and track means.

4, A device of the character described comprising, motive power means, telescopicrsupporting means rotatably secured tothe said motive power means, animal elements pivotably secured tothe outer extremities o1 the said telescopic supporting means, animal support and bearing means pivotably secured to the outerextremities `of the'saidrtelescoplc supporting means, and universally confined 'within track means, track means, the said track means, comprising outer track means, inner track means of spiral formation, and common'switching means adapted to close the circuitous path of the said outer track means' and the said inner track means alternately, and trip means securedto the said telescopic supporting means adapted to motivate the said common switching means to close the circuitous path of the said outer track means.

5. In a device of the character described, spirally-skhaped trackage Vmeans, telescopic elements 4adapted to be confined rotatably in the said spirally-shaped trackage means, trackage switch means adapted to convert into an isolated circuitous path the outermost portion of the said spirally-shaped trackage means, and trip means ,secured to the said telescopic elements adapted to motivate the said trackage means to close the circuitous path of the outermost portion of said spirally-shaped trackage means.

FRANK E. THOMAS. 

